Interleukin 6 Predicts Mortality in Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease

The finding by Remmler et al1 that increased levels of interleukin 6 (IL6) predict 90-day and 1-year mortality in patients with end-stage liver disease is of high importance. In addition to its relevance for prognosis and timing of liver transplantation, we believe that the determination of IL6 levels could represent a possible target for therapy. Indeed, IL6 increases occur in autoimmune diseases, but more importantly is a consequence of infections. Viral causes of chronic liver diseases, such as hepatitis C and B viruses, now can be cured in a very high percentage of patients with the administration of antivirals.

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